The schedule features 17 home games, including a headline matchup against the ACC’s Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets are making the trip to Chattanooga’s McKenzie Arena for the first time in almost two decades.

Season tickets can be purchased at Ticket Office located at Gate One of McKenzie Arena.

“This is a home schedule that fans of all ages will be able to enjoy,” said Athletic Director Rick Hart. “John (Shulman) and his staff have done a great job putting together a competitive schedule in an economic climate that makes it increasingly difficult.”

Season tickets can be purchased online by visiting GoMocs.com, or by calling the ticket office at (423) 266-MOCS. Fans can also buy tickets by visiting McKenzie Arena’s ticket office at Gate One. Season ticket prices begin at $75, and are just $50 for UTC employees, alumni, and youth. Lower level reserved seating is also available, but require a donation to the UTC Mocs Club. Lower level tickets are priced at $175, and $100 for university employees and alumni.

“We are not raising ticket prices, despite the increase in home games,” said Hart. “We have also worked hard to put together a number of packages to fit every budget,” he added, emphasizing the athletic department’s commitment to keep ticket prices affordable during these tough economic times.

The annual Dr. Pepper Classic, December 29-30, looks to be especially strong this year, featuring Morgan State, who appeared in the NCAA Tournament last season. Eastern Kentucky and Long Island will also be included in the tournament field.

Another intriguing matchup in the early season is that with instate rival East Tennessee State University, who will face the Mocs November 17 at McKenzie Arena. Other notable non-conference opponents for UTC include Missouri, Richmond, Jacksonville State, and Murray State.

This years Blue and Gold Tipoff will be at the First Tennessee Pavilion after the Football team's Moc Walk

As the Mocs prepare to defend their Southern Conference Championship from a year ago, head coach John Shulman is cautiously optimistic, but far from over confident. “I really like this team and its potential,” but added, “Potential is a nasty, nasty word. You’d like to have a lot of known commodities. There is very little known about this team.”

Both the Men and Women’s Basketball teams will officially kick off their season Saturday, October 31 with the “Blue and Gold Tipoff” which has been moved to the First Tennessee Pavilion next to Finley Stadium. Activities will begin immediately following the football teams’ Moc Walk at 11:45 a.m. before their game against Western Carolina.

INDIANAPOLIS (The Loop/AP) — The NCAA has stripped the Memphis Tiger basketball program of all 38 of its wins from the 2007-2008 season after it was discovered the Tiger’s had an ineligible player. The player in question is thought to be Derrick Rose.

After the ruling was announced Thursday, Memphis president Shirley Raines said the school would appeal the decision.

This is the second time both Memphis and former coach John Calipari have had to vacate Final Four seasons. The Tigers were stripped of their 1985 appearance and Calipari’s Massachusetts team lost its 1996 berth.

“I would be disappointed if that’s what they choose to do,” Calipari said when asked about the possibility of a vacated season.

The NCAA’s report did not directly identify the player by name, though conclusions were made that it could only have been Rose.

Rose was accused of having another person take his college entrance exam so he would be eligible to play his freshman year at Memphis. Memphis officials argued there was not enough information to validate the allegations and cleared Rose to play in November 2007.

In addition to the vacated season, Memphis must also return the money it received from the NCAA tournament to Conference USA and will be prevented from receiving future shares given out in the conference’s revenue-sharing program.